US-based lithium giant Albemarle signed a joint development agreement to investigate use of 6K's UniMelt production platform to possibly produce new lithium battery materials, the company said.
Albemarle Jan. 13 said it was developing advanced lithium materials to drive-game changing levels of lithium-ion battery performance. 6K: 6K is a microwave-controlled plasma company.
“The UniMelt plasma technology creates new reaction pathways for lithium material innovation. Albemarle Chief Technical Officer Glen Merfeld said in a statement, “We see tremendous potential in partnering with 6K.
S&P Global Platts assessed battery-grade lithium carbonate at a fresh record of Yuan 315,000/mt ($49,591/mt) delivered, duty-paid China basis Jan. 13, up Yuan 5,000/mt on the Jan. 12 assessment.
UniMelt Platform and Sustainability
Albemarle said the UniMelt platform, also known as 6K, could have beneficial applications in sustainable manufacturing.
"For example, if a traditional 16 GWh battery cathode facility was converted to 6K's UniMelt platform, it would cut CO2 emissions by 70%, water usage by 90%, and wastewater generation by 100%, on a factory footprint that is 50% smaller," the company said in a statement.
Investment in 6K
Along with the deal, Albemarle also made an undisclosed investment in 6K via Volta Energy Technologies, the company said.
An existing financial investor in 6K, Volta is a venture capital firm founded in 2017 that also matches strategic investors such as Albemarle with thoroughly-screened investment opportunities in the energy storage space, it said.
